Song LiuPreparing for IC Design Technical Interviews
Front cover of Preparing for Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Technical Interviews: 50 Questions to Sharpen Your Circuit Intuition, by Song Liu, published by Wiley-IEEE Press

First Edition, 2026 · 320 pages
ISBN 978-1-394-43107-6

Wiley-IEEE Press · 2026

Preparing for Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Technical Interviews

50 Questions to Sharpen Your Circuit Intuition

Learn to analyze circuits intuitively: A critical skill for technical interviews and real-world IC design.

by

Song Liu

Technical and Product Line Director

Monolithic Power Systems, San Jose, California

More than 26 years in analog and mixed-signal IC design

Buy on Amazon Wiley-IEEE Press

Technical interviews in analog and mixed-signal IC design test more than whether you remember equations. They test whether you can quickly identify the dominant effects in a circuit, simplify a problem, estimate its behavior, recognize design tradeoffs, and explain your reasoning clearly.

This book uses 50 real-world interview questions to connect classroom equations with the practical analysis and design thinking expected in analog and mixed-signal IC interviews — and in real design work.

Why this book?

Technical interviews require a different kind of preparation.

Traditional textbooks are excellent for learning circuit theory. But interviews often compress years of knowledge into a few minutes at a whiteboard.

An interviewer may draw a circuit and ask: What happens? Why? What limits the performance? What changes if this device becomes larger? Where does the noise come from? Is this circuit stable? There may be no time for a lengthy derivation.

Understand the circuit first. Then use mathematics to confirm the intuition.

Build circuit intuition

Identify the important devices, circuit nodes, impedances, feedback paths, time constants, and nonidealities before performing a detailed calculation.

Connect intuition with equations

Each question combines qualitative reasoning with quantitative analysis so that intuition remains grounded in circuit fundamentals.

Review what interviews probe

Work across analog, mixed-signal, selected digital circuits, and physical layout — including topics that are easy to neglect during interview preparation.

Who should read it?

For engineers and students who want a faster path back to strong fundamentals.

Analog IC designers
Preparing for a technical interview or considering a new position. Often-neglected layout topics are also covered.
Mixed-signal IC designers
Reviewing both continuous-time and discrete-time circuit concepts, as well as fundamental digital circuits.
Graduate & senior undergraduate students
Preparing for a first IC design interview for a permanent position or an internship.
Junior IC designers
Strengthening the connection between textbook analysis and practical design.
Experienced engineers
Refreshing fundamentals without pulling out years of old notes and multiple textbooks.
Interviewers & mentors
Looking for structured circuit questions that reveal how a candidate reasons.

Contents

Six chapters, fifty questions, four appendices. The sequence moves from core analog analysis into sampled-data circuits, digital blocks viewed through analog behavior, and practical layout.

  • About the Authorxi
  • Prefacexiii
  • Acknowledgmentsxvii

Chapter 1: Impedance

page 1 See the circuit through impedances. Q1–Q6 · 6 questionsHide questions

Input/output resistance, Miller effect, device capacitances, differential versus common-mode behavior, cascode structures, and cross-coupled structures.

  1. Q1Input and output resistance of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA)1
  2. Q2Input capacitance of a source follower5
  3. Q3Input capacitance of a differential pair9
  4. Q4Output resistance of a tied-gate current source11
  5. Q5Folded cascode amplifier and input Miller effect reduction13
  6. Q6Impedance of a cross-coupled load17

Chapter 2: Amplifiers – Open-loop and Closed-loop

page 23 Open-loop and closed-loop behavior. Q7–Q20 · 14 questionsHide questions

Stability, compensation, gain-bandwidth, slew rate, distortion, common-mode range, CMFB, feedback factor, noise, PSRR, power, and frequency response.

  1. Q7Stability of an uncompensated two-stage op-amp24
  2. Q8Compensation for a two-stage op-amp, pole splitting26
  3. Q9Nyquist stability criterion and conditional stability31
  4. Q10Device noise contribution in a folded cascode amplifier37
  5. Q11Slew rate limitations of a two-stage op-amp44
  6. Q12Distortion in a common-source amplifier due to device nonlinearity47
  7. Q13Common-emitter amplifier (BJT) with emitter degeneration50
  8. Q14Amplifier input common-mode range and distortion53
  9. Q15Common mode feedback control (CMFB) in fully differential amplifiers56
  10. Q16Frequency response of two op-amp based low-pass filters61
  11. Q17Feedback factors of inverting amplifiers and unity-gain buffers65
  12. Q18Power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of a voltage regulator70
  13. Q19Power optimization of multistage open-loop amplifiers77
  14. Q20Frequency response of a source follower81

Chapter 3: Bias and References

page 85 Establish accurate operating conditions. Q21–Q25 · 5 questionsHide questions

Precision current mirrors, matching, degeneration, resistance effects, noise, bandgap fundamentals, and beta-multiplier stability.

  1. Q21Designing a precision current mirror85
  2. Q22Degeneration in current mirrors89
  3. Q23Impact of resistance in current mirrors92
  4. Q24Bandgap reference basics97
  5. Q25Stability of beta-multiplier references102

Chapter 4: Switched-capacitor Circuits and Comparators

page 107 Move into discrete-time analog design. Q26–Q36 · 11 questionsHide questions

Sampling switches, kickback, charge injection, bottom-plate sampling, track-and-hold, kT/C noise, SC-CMFB, regenerative latches, comparators, offset cancellation, and switched-inductor circuits.

  1. Q26Input impedance and kickback noise of switched-capacitor circuits108
  2. Q27Sizing the switch for better linearity and less charge injection112
  3. Q28Bottom plate sampling and signal-dependent charge injection118
  4. Q29Requirements of the amplifier in a charge-transfer track/hold circuit120
  5. Q30Impact of the amplifier input capacitance in switched-capacitor circuits126
  6. Q31Thermal noise in switched-capacitor circuits129
  7. Q32Switched-capacitor common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuits134
  8. Q33Comparator – regenerative latch137
  9. Q34Comparator – preamplifier143
  10. Q35Comparator – offset cancellation (IOS)147
  11. Q36Switched-inductor circuits – buck converters151

Chapter 5: Digital Circuits from an Analog Perspective

page 161 Digital circuits are still analog devices. Q37–Q44 · 8 questionsHide questions

Ring oscillators, delay, duty-cycle distortion, drivers for long RC interconnects, switching power, flip-flops, setup/hold, clock dividers, PFDs and PLLs (mixed-signal), and metastability.

  1. Q37Inverter-based ring oscillators162
  2. Q38Inverter optimization of propagation delay and duty cycle distortion164
  3. Q39Designing buffers for driving long RC lines168
  4. Q40Inverter switching current and power consumption171
  5. Q41Master/slave D flip-flops and setup/hold time176
  6. Q42Clock divider with D flip-flops179
  7. Q43Digital phase-frequency detectors and phase-locked loops (PLLs)181
  8. Q44Metastability in digital systems189

Chapter 6: Circuit Layout Techniques

page 193 Design does not end at the schematic. Q45–Q50 · 6 questionsHide questions

Matching, interdigitation, parasitic reduction, shielding, decoupling, substrate/well contacts, latch-up, power/ground, and padframe optimization.

  1. Q45Transistor layout for parasitic reduction194
  2. Q46Interdigitation for matching196
  3. Q47Layout of decoupling capacitors199
  4. Q48Substrate/well contact and latch-up201
  5. Q49Shielding in layout – grounded or not grounded? Which ground?205
  6. Q50Optimizing the padframe for power and ground211

Appendices

Appendix 1: Device Equations

page 217 4 sectionsHide sections
  1. 1MOSFET (long-channel) equations217
  2. 2Bipolar transistor (BJT) equations220
  3. 3Diode (PN junction) equations224
  4. 4Resistor, capacitor, and inductor equations225

Appendix 2: Circuit Theorems

page 227 4 sectionsHide sections
  1. 1Kirchhoff’s circuit laws227
  2. 2Thévenin’s theorem and Norton’s theorem229
  3. 3The superposition theorem231
  4. 4Miller’s theorem232

Appendix 3: Circuit Analysis in the Complex Frequency Domain (s-domain)

page 235 5 sectionsHide sections
  1. 1Laplace transform and transfer functions235
  2. 2First-order systems239
  3. 3Transfer function of feedback systems241
  4. 4Second-order systems242
  5. 5S-domain and frequency domain246

Appendix 4: Basic Circuit Analysis Examples

page 251 7 sectionsHide sections
  1. 1Voltage and current dividers251
  2. 2RC circuits – transient and frequency response255
  3. 3Basic amplifiers260
  4. 4Basic op-amp based closed-loop circuits268
  5. 5Types of negative feedback in amplifier circuits273
  6. 6Circuit noise fundamentals278
  7. 7Basic digital circuits286

Index295

How to use the book

A three-pass approach to interview preparation.

  1. Answer without equations

    Look at the circuit and explain what you expect to happen. Identify the dominant devices, circuit nodes, feedback paths, impedances, poles and zeros, noise sources, or nonlinearities.

  2. Quantify the intuition

    Work through the quantitative analysis and determine whether the equations support your initial reasoning. If they do not, find out why.

  3. Explain it as you would in an interview

    Give a concise verbal explanation before the derivation. A technically correct answer matters, but clear reasoning is often just as important as the final equation.

From readers

Excerpts from Amazon customer reviews, each rated 5 out of 5 stars.

“I like the detailed explanation and insight … beyond just solving equations.”
“It's much faster and helpful than taking out old notes and text books.”
Amazon Kindle reader · 5 of 5 stars
“It can help students to develop stronger circuit intuition and analytical ability.”
“The book can be particularly useful for senior EE students and M.S./Ph.D. students preparing for internships or full-time positions in analog, mixed-signal, IC design, and related areas.”
Amazon reader · 5 of 5 stars

About the Author

Song Liu

Technical and Product Line Director

Monolithic Power Systems, San Jose, California

More than 26 years in analog and mixed-signal IC design

Over the course of his career, Song Liu has led the technical development of a wide range of integrated circuits for applications including wireline and wireless communications, industrial automation, and consumer electronics.

This book grew out of a practical observation: success in circuit design interviews and real-world projects requires more than remembering equations. It requires the ability to look at a circuit, recognize its dominant behavior, make reasonable approximations, and use quantitative analysis to validate that intuition.

Education
M.S.E.E., University of Idaho, 1999
Focus
Data converters and analog front ends
Background
Analog and mixed-signal IC design, control systems

Questions about the book

Is this an analog IC design interview book?

Analog and mixed-signal circuit design forms a major part of the book, including impedance, amplifiers, bias and reference circuits, switched-capacitor circuits and comparators (used in data converters), basic switched-inductor circuits (used in power management ICs), and basic PLL circuits. It also covers selected fundamental digital topics, as well as physical layout.

Is this just a collection of interview questions and answers?

No. The questions are used to develop circuit intuition. Problems are approached both intuitively and quantitatively, so that the reader understands not only how to obtain an answer, but why the circuit behaves as it does.

Who is the book intended for?

It is especially useful for analog and mixed-signal IC designers and ECE students preparing for technical interviews, as well as for graduate students, senior undergraduate students, junior engineers, and experienced engineers refreshing their fundamentals.

Does the book cover switched-capacitor circuits and data-converter-related topics?

Yes. Topics include sampling switches, charge injection, bottom-plate sampling, thermal noise, track-and-hold circuits, switched-capacitor common-mode feedback, and comparator design.

Does it cover digital circuits?

Yes, from an analog designer’s perspective. Topics include CMOS inverters, ring oscillators, buffers, D flip-flops, setup and hold time, clock dividers, phase-frequency detectors, and metastability.

Does it discuss IC layout?

Yes. An entire chapter covers practical layout topics, including matching, parasitic reduction, shielding, decoupling, substrate/well contacts, latch-up, and padframe power and ground.

Do I need to remember all of my undergraduate circuit theory before starting?

No. Four appendices provide a quick reference for device equations, circuit theorems, s-domain and frequency-domain analysis, and basic circuit-analysis examples.

Bibliographic record

TitlePreparing for Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Technical Interviews: 50 Questions to Sharpen Your Circuit Intuition
AuthorSong Liu
PublisherWiley-IEEE Press
EditionFirst Edition, 2026
Extent320 pages
6 chapters, 50 questions, 4 appendices
Print ISBN978-1-394-43107-6
E-book ISBN978-1-394-43108-3

Cite this book

[1]S. Liu, Preparing for Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Technical Interviews: 50 Questions to Sharpen Your Circuit Intuition. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley-IEEE Press, 2026.

BibTeX 
@book{liu2026preparing,
  author = {Song Liu},
  title = {Preparing for Integrated Circuit ({IC}) Design Technical Interviews: 50 Questions to Sharpen Your Circuit Intuition},
  publisher = {Wiley-IEEE Press},
  address = {Hoboken, NJ, USA},
  edition = {First},
  year = {2026},
  isbn = {978-1-394-43107-6}
}

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